DAEGU, South Korea, CMC – Grenadian teenager Kirani James returned to the arena where he was crowned World champion last year to post a season-best time en route to winning the 400 metres at the Colorful Daegu Championship here yesterday.
The 19-year-old took control of the race from the outset to coast to a time of 44.72 seconds, finishing ahead of Trinidadian Renny Quow who clocked 45.65 seconds.
American Calvin Smith was third in 45.70 while Tabarie Henry of the US Virgin Islands was fourth in 45.77.
The season is another crucial one for James who will look to add an Olympic title to his collection when he turns out at the Olympiad in London later this year.
There was also success for Bahamian Trevor Barry who won the men’s high jump with a measurement of 2.25 metres.
American Jamie Nieto was second with 2.22 while Britain’s Samson Oni was third with the same measurement.
The marquee 100 metres sprints were both taken by Americans with Caribbean runners finishing down the field
In the men’s event, the resurgent Justin Gatlin crossed the line in 9.93 seconds with fellow American Mike Rodgers second in 10.06.
Jamaican Jacques Harvey clocked in third in 10.16 with Olympic and Trinidadian Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson was fourth in 10.20.
Mario Forsythe, also of Jamaica, finished fifth in 10.28.
Meanwhile, World champion Carmelita Jeter confirmed her early season form by taking the women’s 100 metres in 11.11 seconds, with Blessing Okagbare (11.21) second and Jamaican Aleen Bailey third in 11.34.
There was no such fortune for Jamaican Brigitte Foster-Hylton, however, as she suffered her first loss of the new season in the 100 metres hurdles when she finished third to American Dawn Harper.
Foster-Hylton was timed at 13 seconds flat while Harper crossed the line in 12.65.